Incident location, Long Island
What Happened
Carlos Astimbay, a 50-year-old married father of two from Queens, was killed in a multi-vehicle crash on the Long Island Expressway on February 6 while driving westbound near Exit 22 in Flushing. According to CBS News New York, Astimbay was operating a Toyota Camry when he collided with the center median before being struck by a tractor-trailer in what has become a fatal accident now under investigation for potential snow removal protocol violations.
Astimbay worked as a livery cab driver and was remembered by his family as a devoted father who would do anything to help his loved ones. The crash occurred during what investigators are now examining as potentially problematic snow clearing conditions on the major expressway, with questions arising about whether proper snowplow practices were followed leading up to the deadly collision.
Fernando Mateo, a spokesperson for The New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers, said the tragedy could have been prevented and pointed to what he called “serious operational failures” in snow removal procedures. “If that is true, then this was not just negligence; it was a reckless failure that created dangerous conditions on a major expressway,” Mateo said in a statement to CBS News New York. He alleged that snow that should have been cleared safely onto the shoulder was instead pushed back into active lanes of traffic, creating hazardous driving conditions.
“We want answers from the New York City Department of Sanitation. If snow and ice were improperly plowed back onto the roadway, we demand an explanation for how this was allowed to happen,” Mateo continued. “Our sources point to serious operational failures, and if those failures cost a life, someone must be held accountable. The NYSFTD will not back down until there is full transparency, responsibility and justice.”
An attorney representing Astimbay’s family told CBS News New York that they believe snowplow practices may have played a significant role in the deadly accident. The legal team is examining whether improper snow removal procedures created the dangerous conditions that led to the fatal collision on the Long Island Expressway near the Flushing area.
Sources told CBS News New York that a supervisor for the New York City Department of Sanitation, the agency responsible for plowing the expressway in that section, has since been suspended in connection with the incident. The suspension suggests that investigators have identified potential protocol violations or operational issues related to the snow removal efforts that preceded the crash.
Location & Road Context
The fatal crash occurred on the Long Island Expressway westbound near Exit 22 in Flushing, a heavily traveled section of Interstate 495 that serves as a critical transportation corridor for Queens residents and commuters. This stretch of the LIE experiences high traffic volumes during both rush hours and off-peak times, making proper maintenance and snow removal particularly crucial for driver safety.
According to Long Island Traffic database records, this section of I-495 has 136 recorded incidents, with recent events including multiple construction projects and road maintenance activities. The frequency of incidents on this roadway underscores the importance of proper maintenance protocols, particularly during winter weather conditions when snow and ice removal can significantly impact traffic safety.
Investigation & Legal Proceedings
Police are actively investigating whether snowplow practices were properly followed in the lead-up to the February 6 crash that killed Astimbay. The investigation focuses on the New York City Department of Sanitation’s snow removal procedures and whether protocols were correctly implemented during the winter weather event that preceded the fatal collision.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani declined to comment on the deadly crash, stating that he couldn’t provide details since the incident remains under active investigation. The suspension of a Sanitation Department supervisor indicates that the investigation has already identified potential issues with snow removal operations, though specific details about the nature of the protocol violations have not been publicly released.
Broader Impact
The investigation into snow removal practices following Astimbay’s death highlights the critical importance of proper winter maintenance procedures on major expressways like the Long Island Expressway. The New York City Department of Sanitation’s responsibility for plowing this section of I-495 places the agency under scrutiny for its operational standards, particularly regarding the safe placement of snow and ice during clearing operations. If investigators confirm that snow was improperly pushed back into active traffic lanes rather than safely cleared to shoulders, it could lead to significant changes in city snow removal protocols and potential liability for the agency in this fatal crash.